Conceptually, the opposition to a regime or to a way of doing things, to the governance of a country, is not necessarily synonymous with a political party. A political party is an association of persons advocating the same ideas, wishing to be elected to govern and to implement these ideas. The drama in Gabon regarding all political parties is to have a leadership whose personality overrides structures, ideology and the vision of these parties. This chronic situation is mainly due to the fact that, throughout the existence of the single party system that lasted 23 years, only the cult of power was important and there was no incentive to inspire or to communicate any political vision to the Gabonese society. Only Omar Bongo’s cult of personality mattered.

Thus in 1990, when the multiparty system was authorized in Gabon, the existence, popularity and survival of political parties became based on the aura and charisma of their founder, who will remain throughout the chairmen of these parties. The result was often that at the disappearance of these leaders, the party ceased to exist or become totally insignificant. The death of the leader led to infighting that steered to the creation of rival wings that all claim loyalty to the founding father. For this blog, whether in power or in opposition, all Gabonese political parties share these characteristics. The PDG of all parties, may have been the one that was most affected by the death of its founder. In 2009, the Gabonese political observers would have thought that the longevity of Omar Bongo in power could have consolidated his party the PDG, and create cohesion among his followers. But the reality will prove otherwise, as the death of Omar Bongo after 42 years in power, will cause the PDG to explode; the son of Omar Bongo would assert his right to filial inheritance and other political "sons" of Omar Bongo would decide to fly on their own in opposition to the son they believe to be an impostor. With the logical result being that many defectors from the PDG now find themselves in the opposition. Yesterday, Casimir Oye Mba, André Mba Obame, Jean Eyeghe Ndong etc., left the PDG to openly oppose Ali Bongo. Today it is Jean Ping who has just done the same and the phenomenon is not about to stop.

One should really be of rare naivety, or deeply childish to think to give credit to any person who, after a lifetime spent cozying up to a dictatorship, would all of the sudden express their stance against that dictatorship and for democracy in Gabon. There are so many hyper-corrupt demagogues who claim to be politically opposed to the Bongo regime, we should be very careful. The transition from the regime to the opposition is strewn with pitfalls and is not always easily navigable to all. We saw Casimir Oye Mba who despite his great experience, had difficulties to emerge as a leader of men in the opposition. The defectors of the regime who have best succeeded in opposition, did so because of their political courage and their ability to clearly articulate the contours of their break with the Bongo regime. It is through Jean Eyeghe Ndong political courage when he declared his disagreement with the hereditary succession in front of foreign heads of state at the funeral of Omar Bongo, that the Gabonese people accepted Jean Eyeghe Ndong as an opponent to the regime. As so aptly analyzed previously by the Gabonese intellectual Dr. Guy Nang Bekale, the successful transition of André Mba Obame in the opposition was the result of a popular, if not populist, communication strategy, through which he went to find the Gabonese people wherever they were, to explain to them the merits of his action and his break with the PDG. If Jean Ping wants to succeed his transfer, he must develop a communication strategy similar to those of Jean Eyeghe Ndong and André Mba Obame and speak freely and clearly about his vision, his strategy and his action (if any) for Gabon.

What is clear today in Gabon, is that the opposition can no longer be the domain of charismatic individuals who use their reputation to give themselves political wings. This blog believes that there is only one opposition in Gabon; and that only real opposition is embodied by the people! But that is why Ping should respect the people by speaking to them clearly in order to avoid manipulation and irresponsible and cynical charges of demagoguery.

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